Chief Mechanical Inspector

HR GO Recruitment; Basildon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

HRGO Recruitment in Basildon, United Kingdom, is seeking a Chief Inspector (Quality) to lead the Inspection function and ensure product conformity to drawings and CAD models. You will coordinate with SMT and production, drive a strong quality culture, and oversee CMM programming and inspection reporting including FAI.

The role requires proven aerospace/precision engineering inspection leadership, strong GD&T interpretation, and experience with inspection processes.

Qualifications

• Proven inspection leadership/supervisory experience in aerospace or precision engineering.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T and CAD-model-based requirements.
• Experience with CMM programming and inspection reporting (including FAI).
• Strong planning, prioritisation and communication skills; comfortable working with SMT and production teams.
• Familiarity with structured quality systems and compliance documentation (advantageous).

Responsibilities

• Lead the Inspection Area day-to-day, ensuring consistent standards and priorities.
• Supervise, coach and support the Inspection team, driving a positive quality culture.
• Work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to meet throughput requirements; plan inspection resource and communicate works order status.
• Evaluate inspection processes and provide continual improvement suggestions to SMT.
• Ensure shop-floor quality controls are followed (e.g., first-offs completed and inspection cards correctly stamped) alongside the Quality Engineer.
• Deliver QA activities: first-off, in-process/stage, final inspection and FAI reporting.
• CMM programming, upkeep and coordination of maintenance/repairs.
• Support investigation of internal and external non-conformities and contribute to corrective actions.
• Attend and contribute to SQCDP shop-floor meetings.
• Communicate with customers as required regarding quality/inspection matters.

Skills

Inspection leadership

Engineering drawings & GD&T

CMM programming & FAI reporting

Planning & communication

Quality systems & documentation

Tools

CMM software

Inspection reporting tools

Job description

Chief Inspector (Quality)

Established aerospace precision engineering and manufacturing business focused on quality, traceability and on-time delivery have a new opportunity for a senior Inspector.

As Chief Inspector, you will lead and organise the Inspection function to ensure product conformity to customer drawings, CAD models and conditions of supply, supporting safe, efficient throughput across the shop floor.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Inspection Area day-to-day, ensuring consistent standards and priorities.
• Supervise, coach and support the Inspection team, driving a positive quality culture.
• Work with the Senior Management Team (SMT) to meet throughput requirements; plan inspection resource and communicate works order status.
• Evaluate inspection processes and provide continual improvement suggestions to SMT.
• Ensure shop-floor quality controls are followed (e.g., first-offs completed and inspection cards correctly stamped) alongside the Quality Engineer.
• Deliver QA activities: first-off, in-process/stage, final inspection and FAI (First Article Inspection) reporting.
• CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) programming, upkeep and coordination of maintenance/repairs.
• Support investigation of internal and external non-conformities and contribute to corrective actions.
• Attend and contribute to SQCDP (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People) shop-floor meetings.
• Communicate with customers as required regarding quality/inspection matters.

Key skills & experience

• Proven inspection leadership/supervisory experience in aerospace or precision engineering.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T and CAD-model-based requirements.
• Experience with CMM programming and inspection reporting (including FAI).
• Strong planning, prioritisation and communication skills; comfortable working with SMT and production teams.
• Familiarity with structured quality systems and compliance documentation (advantageous).

This is a permanent job with a starting salary dependant on experience.

You must have current UK right to work to be considered.

HRGO area recruitment agency supporting UK manufacturing . we aim to respond to all applications